I'll score this as another Bush mistake. Pretty petty of you ask me.
 

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama asked the White House if his family could move to Washington earlier than normal, but aides say the White House couldn't give them the official guest house as early as his family wanted. The Obamas had asked White House officials to move into Blair House about two weeks before the traditional date so their two daughters could start their new school when classes resume Jan. 5. Obama aides say the White House told them that the request cannot be met because the current administration still has plans for the historic government home across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. An Obama aide said the family was told that there were previously scheduled events at the Blair House and guests could not be displaced. The aide, who was not authorized to speak about Obama family matters, spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Sally McDonough, first lady Laura Bush's press secretary, declined to comment on the transition conversations, but said the Blair House would be available on January 15, the traditional date it becomes available for new presidents and their families. Obama's two daughters — 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha — are planning to attend Sidwell Friends School. Classes start more than a week before the incoming first family could stay at Blair House. A second Obama aide said the family remains optimistic the transition from Chicago to Washington would be smooth, regardless of living location. Sidwell is a private Quaker school with a campus in northwest Washington for grades 5-12 and another in suburban Bethesda, Md., for kindergarten through fourth grade. Malia is in fifth grade and Sasha is in second grade. Al Gore III, the son of former Vice President Al Gore, attended Sidwell. Vice President-elect Joe Biden's grandchildren also attend the school.
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Associated Press writer Ben Feller contributed to this report from Washington.

I'm sure there are plenty of places the Obamas can stay temporarily and get their daughters in the school on time. Do we know what the "previously scheduled events" are or what guests are already planning to stay there? I'd say it's petty of the Obamas to try and move in before it's time.

Exactly.

Why would you regard their effort as petty???

If the place is booked, the place is booked.

If it were empty and they were just being difficult, that would be a different story.

No reason to make a mountain out of a mole hole..

Hotel?:dunno:

I think it's the media making a big deal over this, not the Obamas. I agree that there are plenty of places they can stay, and I'm quite sure this is a non-issue.

"The aide, who was not authorized to speak about Obama family matters, spoke on the condition of anonymity."

If Obama actually thought this was a big deal, I'm sure he would have said something publicly. In the past he has had no issue with publicly criticizing President Bush.

The Hay Adams has great views of the White House. I'm sure they could easily get a room. :thumbup:

:iagree:

I argee, Hotel? ...spread the wealth right...

...already looking for special privliages

I'm sure the media is doing there usuall crap...I hope so
and the new Soap opera "The Obamas'" begins, actually I should say continues

You mean his children are not participating in our wonderful government school system???? :D

Sidwell Friends. The same school Chelsea went to.

This is one amazing hotel - overlooks Lafayette Square and the White House. Great sense of history. Where they stay is so old news though.

And that they did.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...me0101-ON.html

So after Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters wrap up an extended family vacation at a $9 million rental home in his native Hawaii on Thursday, they will trade their house in Chicago for a suite at the historic Hay-Adams hotel.

Opened in 1928, the hotel sits across Lafayette Square from the White House, Obama's eventual work place and home. Its name comes from two historical figures who lived on the site: John Hay, the private assistant to President Abraham Lincoln and later secretary of state, and Henry Adams, an author and descendant of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams.

The Hay-Adams has 145 rooms and suites, featuring marble bathrooms, intricately carved plaster ceilings and ornamental fireplaces and balconies - with views of the White House, Lafayette Square and St. John's Church - in certain rooms.

Room amenities include custom Italian bed linens and towels, goose down duvets and pillows (hypoallergenic pillows are available; Malia has allergies), plush microfiber bathrobes and slippers for adults and kids, Bose CD music systems with assorted CDs, exclusive Etro toiletries, complimentary Fiji bottled water and a nightly turndown service.

Good call - you should turn that predictive power into cash and use it to get a new X5!

Already have a 2008, but you can never have enough new cars!

I would have helped if they had asked :D However, I might double book the room and bump them for Rush Limbaugh by mistake :cool: